Prayers for 2009

A Happy New Year to All!

I have not been blogging ... news to all I am sure. I am really working right now on balance---giving myself more space and more simplicity in order to gain a greater sense of peace and "at homeness" with my life as ds and just being Susan. I will admit this has been a fairly difficult fall ds-wise. The loss of four pastors in my district from pulpits has caught up with me tired-wise the last couple of weeks. The greatest strain with this is that four charges have experienced pastoral transition that was not their fault---all different situations, but the hurt and grief, in one way or another is the same. And empathizer that I am according to Stengthfinders et al, I have hurt along side and with these wonderful lay folks who have ended up being the ones who suffer from decisions that their leadership make.

My prayers for the Church and for myself over the next year:

That the appointments made this coming spring will be inspired through and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

That the lay folks of our district will continue to find creative, compassionate and contextually relevant ways to minister to their communities

That I can be the kind of ds that is needed in my district; that I will stay open to learning more and more about the needs of our churches and communities; that I will remain pliable enough to change my mind when I need to, and continue to know that Jesus is the rock in a weary land, and the shelter in the time of storm.

That Kevin Buckrucker's flight schedule would PLEASE let him be home more, because I miss his collegiality as our district lay leader and friend in deed.

That we find just the right office space in which to move in 2010 that will move forward the ministries of the district.

That my deep and nearly indescribably rich love for the local church and its mission as the body of Christ in the specific place it is planted, and the mysterious union between Christ and his church, and the joy unspeakable that I experienced repeatedly this fall at charge conference, be the impetus for my ministry now and throughout my superintendency.

And prayers for me...

That I do really lose that 20 pounds by conference that I am determined to lose.

That my children continue to emerge into their adulthood with grace and beauty (Specifically, that Cana be able to get through the math classes she will have to get through in the next two years in order to make that law school dream a reality and that Caleb will get a job...)

That if it is the will of God for my life, a man of spiritual maturity appear who will love me as I am and that I can love.

That I be, for all my friends and family, a supportive, steady presence upon whom they can rely and know that I am to be trusted with their tears, their confidences and their joys.

That I find a really wonderful and inexpensive Danish modern buffet for my dining room. (maybe one just like in the picture adevertised on ebay, but a tenth of the price that is being asked??)

That I keep up with reading Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening.

That my new computer and my Ipod touch enable ministry as well as just be fun for me.

And please God, I pray, that no other pastors leave pulpits, that I find a whole bunch of great part time pastors who want to serve on the east side of the district especially, that more of the churches pay apportionments in full by January 8 than have today, that Barbara Webb (our office manager and my admin asst) does not meet a man who takes her away to Tahiti to live a life of leisure, that Linda Leist experiences complete recovery, that Barak Obama does indeed help our country out of our difficult time, and that the charges where pastors have left, Wesley: Sweet Springs/Concordia; Napolean; North Street/Elmwood; and Weston, that these charges might somehow know, even in the midst of the confusing times, that in all things Christ works

for good for those who love God; that even though things happen and others do things that seem meant for harm, God can mean for good; and that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love in of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen